(Rivers also doesn't care if you don't like Weezer's style mixing, candy w/ pork and beans, and he doesnt care if you don't like his mustache and hat, he's not gonna wear the clothes that you like)

BordomBeThyName

The thing you gotta look at when you look at Weezer are the first two albums and their effects on the band. The Blue Album introduced us to a brilliant band with unlimitted potential, spawned from the suburbanian generation. it captured the most innocent sounds of growing up awkwardly. But it was not through buddy holly that this happened, far from it. It was because of a coming together of styles found "The World Has Turned..." "Say it Ain't So..." and "Only in Dreams." And make no mistake, their were some powerful lyrics in those songs. Most of it was dealing with the fact that they were nobodies lost in suburbia seeking to form a legacy like their heroes (as shown in "In the Garage"). The album, however, was known at the time mostly for Buddy Holly, which may have been the greatest disaster to happen to this band.

When Pinkerton came out, Weezer was fresh off astounding success. They had become the stars they had adored. As such, the writing and sounds flaunted this new found 'success,' and how they were uncomfortable with it (see Tired of Sex, Across the Sea, and Butterfly), but the music carried a raw swagger that said Weezer was here to stay. The critics, however, pummeled it, saying it was a huge dissappointment. This can largely be attributed to the fact that there was no Buddy Holly, no real single that was expected. And so, amidst harsh reviews and hurt feelings, the band once so full of promise went on hiatus. Matt Sharp left, and Weezer went on a downward spiral. All this was because the critics just weren't ready to accept Weezer was growing up.

Enter the Green album. Rivers obvioulsy wanted to get back to the fame and have people adorne him King of Alt Rock once again. The songs are all derived from the hook laden Buddy Holly, power chords everywhere, and no attempts at the raw energy found in Pinkerton. While lots of people liked it, including the critics, the music itself was a regression. Many people were so entranced by it simply because it was weezer off hiatus. But look at them now; the Buddy Holly Album, the attempt to please the crowd is no where near as good as the Blue Album .

Moving to Maladroit, and we get a more confident weezer. They are prepared to mix their styles a little, and the result is an attempt to return to Pinkerton. However, it is only an attempt. With tracks like Keep Fishin, Dope Nose, and Slave, Weezer was still playing for an audience, not ready to play for themselves again.

On make believe, one of two things happened: First, it was, as you said, an abomination. OR it could be an entirely social commentary on the fake and materialistic societal norms. For example, "We Are All on Drugs," is not simply talking about coke or pot, but rather materialism, as evident in the "in your new mercedes bendz," "showing up late for school," how we take for granted these luxuries and pass off important items. Beverly Hills is a continuation of this sarcastic theme, cause where in the world are there more fake people, more people playing "make believe" with their lives? The style of the songs, power pop and simple, (a regression from the attempt towards a refined pinkerton seen in maladroit) add to this theme of fakeness. Of course, that whole analogy could be entirely wrong, and "Make Believe" could simply be crap, but I really don't want to believe it, as it doesn't fit anywhere in the progression.

Now we come to the Red Album. It should be noted that Weezer is inviting comparison again by the iconic album cover. In all honesty, this is not one of my favorite albums, there are too many attempts to please the crowd. "The Greatest Man.." is an attempt for the sound of "Beverly Hills," and only no longer contributing the the message of the album. "Pork and Beans," "Everybody Get Dangerous," and "Troublemaker" just suck.

But there are flashes of light, signs of what made Weezer so incredible. "Dreamin'" is a throwback to "Holliday." "The Angel and the One" is a tribute to "Only in Dreams," and, like it's predecessor, is pulled off flawlessly. Furthermore, while in the same vein as "Only in Dreams" we get an entirely separate song in both melody and lyrics. They didn't have to capture the same mode exactly as the blue album, as seen in no guitar buildup at the end, no direct "verse-chorus-verse." The lyrics are no longer about teenage yearning for that one you can never get, but enlightened acceptance that comes with growth, and is this albums highlight.

So this all brings me to "Heart Songs." Thanks for being patient in reading this far. This is probably the second best song on the album. Immediately, we are invited to compare it to "in the garage" by the lyrics. Both are about the aspiration to make it big like the rock stars before them, in their own way. The lyrics are amazing; they are the raw, innocent kid shouting out to those who he worshipped, the type of lyrics that made us all love the blue album. Furthermore, you mentioned that the first two albums had good hooks while the third and fourth have been decent lyrically. Well, fortunately, Heart songs has both. Weezer tries a slower, funky beat and tempo, and mixes in a minor melody. They realize in this song that they really are a successful band and shake the feeling that they have to please everyone. I think that this song was for them, their favorite bands, their style, and that's what made us like them to begin with. For those reasons, I think "heart songs" is definitely a triumphant weezer song.

earlthetable

LaurenceDampie

But yeah this isn't that bad a song, even if it isn't their best.

Weezer fan.

(and Green day fan to a lesser extent)

b_bird89

yousucka

Its a good song. If you guys don't like it then listen to Atreyu, or Coheed and Cambria, or Chevelle, or Thrice, or Soulja Boy, or whatever the pussies of this generation listen to.

Weezer fan.

arock99

Audif Jackson Winters III

TamarGaborik

the sieve

sobonatovada

Kim Gordon's Panties

owenmeany

This is the worst thing of any kind, ever.

drjimmy11

ShashibalaNardwuar

Anyone else think that on "We Are All On Drugs", when he sings "on drugs" it sounds like he's saying "on jugs"?

mykul

I actually would've argued that this might not even be Weezer, until about 2:26.

Marth

/haven't heard this new one.

Marth

Maybe it's because (aside from maybe Pinkerton) I've liked Weezer for the hooks, not the lyrics.

tankboy

Eugene Langley

And it wasn't that charming to begin with.

The Notorious T

After the jump: "Oh lord."

Tippy and Bad Girl

Could be worse - imagine being Morrissey. He has to appeal to the 14 year old misfits whilst still trying to fit into their clothes.

HomefrontRadio

rockstarjoe

cockfightbarmitzvah

Pitiful.

FionaScrapple

Anthony Miccio

Eugene Langley

Ned Raggett

There has been zero lyrical growth with this fella since Clinton was in office. The first time. Now at first, I was willing to say that PINKERTON had scarred him, and caused him to retreat into moon-june-spoon lyricism. But much in the same way that we all eventually recover from things that happened to us 12 years ago, he's had ample opportunity to get over it.

But over it he is not. And as a result, good his music is not. Try not, River. Do. Or do nothing.

joshservo

I guess I should be grateful.

dog door

El-Zilcho

Al Shipley

I'm going to go look for the good hooks on Maladroit.

The Notorious T

Dead Air ummm Dead Air

/every wedding I ever attended

How do I say this ... THROWDINI!